Originally scheduled for a November 1st release and later pushed back to November 6th, Vircom's cartoon-styled MMORPG Black Moon Chronicles: Winds of War has been delayed yet again. While an exact date has yet to be specified, the game is still expected to retail within the month. Black Moon Chronicles' beta test was also originally scheduled to end on November 1st, but has been extended with each subsequent release date delay and is still open to new players. With collision detection, path finding, and crash bugs, among other gameplay and balance issues still persisting, the added feedback from the extended beta test coupled with the extra development time afforded by this most recent delay should help Vircom iron out remaining problems prior to release.

In the ever expanding MMORPG genre where games often attempt to distinguish themselves with technically advanced visuals and features, Black Moon Chronicles has taken a different approach, setting itself apart from the pack with its unique hand-drawn artistic style. Both its lush, comic-styled art and in-depth, involving story are rooted in the French comic series (Chroniques de la Lune noire) upon which the game is based. Choosing your character from among 4 factions, the story takes a different path depending on your faction's allegiance to either light or darkness - the Empire, the Order of Light, and the Knights of Justice form the Alliance of the Empire, while the Priesthood of the Black Moon alone forms the evil Order of the Black Moon. Boasting an intricate quest system and a well-woven story, Black Moon Chronicles offers much in the way of engaging material for potential PC MMORPG gamers.

While waiting for the game to hit retail shelves, we have a collection of images to whet your appetite. Click here for the first of 3 screen shot galleries, here for the first of 2 pages of artwork, here for a gallery of maps, here for packaging shots, and here for a selection of wallpapers.